Perry I. Adelson, DDS

     Perry I. Adelson, DDS, passed away peacefully at home on July 12, 2022. Perry was born February 27, 1939, in Williamsport, PA, second son to Harold J. Adelson, DDS, and Idele (Hanshaft) Adelson. He attended Williamsport schools graduating from Williamsport High School in 1957. Perry attended Lycoming College, and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry in 1963. After dental school, Perry served as a Captain in the Dental Unit at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, GA, where his first child was born to his former wife. In 1966, the family moved back to Williamsport, and Perry entered into dental practice with his father. The practice grew exponentially and existed until 2016,  when after some challenging health issues, Perry was forced to retire. The women who worked with him, including his wife, who was the practice’s dental hygienist, worked chairside with him for more than 35 years, and were family to him and to the entire Adelson clan. Perry was an exceptionally skilled dentist who produced extensive dental restorations for his patients, as well practicing general dentistry for little patients experiencing their first dental visit to those who initially started as his father’s patients years earlier. 

     In 1971, Perry was instrumental, with several other families, in founding the West Branch School, an alternative approach to education in keeping with the times. All three of his children, and all four of his grandchildren, attended West Branch School.  

      Also in 1971, Perry met Kay Anne Mahaffey, the woman who would become his lifelong partner. Those who knew Kay and Perry well were aware of their incredible story of meeting and running off together to start a new life. Perry always said of Kay, “she was the girl in my dreams.” 

     Together with two other families, a piece of land in Quiggleville was purchased and quickly became Sunshine Farm. For the next 51 years, Perry poured his creative soul into building a home and gardens. With Kay, and with Russ Kimura and Denise Hamby, Sunshine Farm became a slice of heaven on earth, and a place for family and friends to gather for a party, a respite, an excellent meal, or just a visit. We are so fortunate that Perry’s son, Butchie, and his partner, Sarah, have taken the baton and will continue his vision on the farm. 

     Perry is survived by his wife, Kay Ann (Mahaffey) Adelson; his daughters: Jessica Adelson Engel of Concord, NC, and Andria Adelson Larson of Loyalsock Twp.; and his son, Ira N. Adelson (Butchie) and Butchie’s partner, Sarah Daugherty, of Sunshine Farm. Perry had four grandchildren: Katherine Engel of Hoboken, NJ, and Samuel Engel (Ilana Sheveloff), of Philadelphia, PA, and Cooper Larson and Duncan Larson of Loyalsock Twp. He is also survived by a brother, Alexander Adelson, and his wife, Margie, of Hoboken, NJ, as well as their three children and their families, and a sister-in-law, Carla Mahaffey, and her daughter, Melissa Hoy, both of State College, PA.  

     Also surviving are Denise Hamby of Sunshine Farm, and her daughter, Keri Kimura, and Keri’s family of Manset, ME, as well as countless friends from Roatan, Honduras, where Perry and Kay had a vacation home for more than 30 years. Specifically, Silvie Forbes of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, who lived with Perry and Kay for a couple of years and attended West Branch School. Silvie was like another daughter to Perry and Kay. Also surviving in Roatan are Woudsin and Keyna Bodden, the dearest of friends who were like family. There are countless others, too numerous to name. 
 

      In keeping with Perry’s wishes, there were no services. A celebration of his life will be announced at a future time. 

     In Perry’s honor, plant a tree, grow some flowers, listen to some music, visit with people you love, and enjoy this one fabulous life we each get. 
     

     Online condolences may be made on Perry’s memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com
 

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